City Council votes on various issues including a property tax increase

The City Council voted Wednesday on several different issues including a property tax increase for Bronx and city homeowners.

City Council members say they cut Bronx residents a break when they voted to increase property taxes by 4.3 percent. They say the state recommended a 7 percent hike. According to council estimates, the vote will save the average homeowner approximately $80 a year.

Another issue the council voted on was to increase penalties for vandalism of religious buildings. Anyone convicted of defacing a church, synagogue or mosque could now pay up to $25,000 plus any criminal penalties.